Welcome to Week 8 of Wunda Wednesdays! From May 1st through July 1st, I’ll be participating in a 60 Day Challenge with WundaBar Pilates. I’ll be taking 3-4 classes per week in exchange for documenting my progress weekly here on the blog.
I can’t believe that I’m nearing the end of my 60 Day Challenge. I’ve worked my body in ways I never thought I could (even on vacation via the WundaBar To Go Program) and I’ve been having fun attending classes at different WundaBar locations and with different WundaBar instructors.
Throughout this Challenge, I’ve learned a lot about Pilates and I’ve really started to love the uniquely efficient and fun strength building classes aiding my injury rehabilitation. Getting a chance to document this journey has reminded me how unexpectedly finding your passion can change your life’s path. A recreational cooking class turned my love of food, fitness and health into the catalyst to transition from food lover to Registered Dietitian at age 30. A year ago, I never would have believed I’d be a blogger and now a fitness challenge participant!
Me as the WundaBar Ambassador at the Mr. Pasadena Tweet-Up event.
To me, this fitness journey has helped transform my soul as well as my body. There’s a contagious vibe at WundaBar of passion and dedication that I haven’t experienced at a fitness studio before. Because I’m a person who loves a backstory, I thought it would be interesting to find out how passion made 3 different WundaBar Educators convert from Pilates enthusiast to expert and share their stories with you:
She Looks Better Than Women Half Her Age – Valerie
Veteran WundaBar Educator, Valerie Van De Yacht
Name and age: Valerie Van De Yacht, turning 50 August 27th. Did I really just say that?!
How long have you been instructor at WundaBar Pilates? 4 years this July.
Why WundaBar Pilates? What was the the reason you chose to become an instructor?
I discovered my passion to be a dancer in high school. It was late but I fell in love with Jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical and Ballet. When I first took a pilates class it reminded me of my dance warm-ups and it had the same philosophy of movement. The reason I chose WundaBar Pilates is simple – the people involved are the best you’d want to be around.
What is your philosophy about exercise? What other forms of exercise do you enjoy?
I have to be passionate about what I’m doing no matter what it is. I have to love it or I won’t continue. Also, education of movement of the body is so wonderful and interesting. I love to take long walks but need to exercise my brain as well as my body.
What is your favorite part of the WundaFormer?
The whole thing. I love the versatility of going from Reformer to Jumpboard to WundaChair in seconds.
Which exercise is your favorite/least favorite?
Core work and upper body is always my favorite. I don’t have any exercises that I dislike. I do have to be careful with certain exercises and range of motion since I have an abdominal hernia. Certain positions can aggravate it so I just have to modify.
What is your favorite food?
I love all food! Indian, Thai, Italian are at the top – anything super spicy. I’d say I could probably eat pasta every single night. Don’t get me wrong. I love veggies, fruits and eating reasonably healthy during the week. I splurge on the weekends.
What is something that you’d want a newbie to WundaBar Pilates to know?
Take it slow. Try your best and don’t be discouraged. Just stick with it. Find one range of motion in an exercise and focus on getting the form correct and keep building from there.
Tell us one thing most people don’t know about you.
I’m a big napper! I love to take a nap during the day. It’s a mini-recharge for me. I also need my 8 hours of sleep a night. Here’s a really BIG one – I’ve never learned to ride a bike! Yikes! New thing on my “To Do” list.
When and where do you teach?
Mondays (Studio City): 9:30am, 10:30am, 12:30pm
Wednesdays (Pasadena): 10:30am, 11:30am
Thursdays (Montrose): 10:30am, 11:30am, 4:30pm, 5:30pm
Friday (Montrose): 9:30am, 5:00pm, 6:00pm
Pilates Rehabilitated Her Body and Her Life – Elise
Name and about your injury: I’m Elise Gilbert and I had bulging discs in my neck and lumbar region a few years back. Through the diligence of pilates and the help of trigger-point myofascial work, I was able to completely rehabilitate myself.
Elise Gilbert demonstrating strength in a WundaFormer plank
How long have you been instructor at WundaBar Pilates? Three years or so.
Why WundaBar Pilates? What was the the reason you chose to become an instructor? Let’s see. I teach on a lot of different machines. WundaBar combines the technical aspect of a traditional class with elements from the traditional reformer and great music at a quicker pace. I initially chose to become an instructor as a fun one time a week gig. It was something I loved doing and I thought it would be a fun addition to my life. These days, it is absolutely a way of life more so than a fun addition. I am constantly taking Continuing Ed and trying to learn all that I can about rehabilitating the body through Pilates.
What is your philosophy about exercise? What other forms of exercise do you enjoy? Do something you love, something that speaks to you…and then listen to your body! Be present in your class. I can get so much more out of a 15 minute session that I am entirely devoted to versus an hour session where I am entirely checked out. I also enjoy swimming, dance, yoga. I like just about everything. Movement.
What is your favorite part of the WundaFormer? That’s hard to choose – the dancer in me loves the Barre and the athlete in me loves the Jumpboard. The Wunda Chair is by far the most misleading piece of the machine. People are amazed at how challenging the Wunda Chair can be. I’ll always love the carriage though. I like the challenge to the body through balance and precision.
Which exercise is your favorite/least favorite? Favorite would be assisted rolldowns on the carriage. Least favorite – none.
What is your favorite food? Mexican food. All of it – even the Margaritas and lots of chips and salsa. 😉
What is something that you’d want a newbie to WundaBar Pilates to know? Pilates isn’t supposed to be easy. It’s not supposed to be immediate. Be kind to yourself. Be Present. There is so much to listen to and take in, if you are present in your class you will get the most that you can out of it. Treat yourself to that.
Tell us one thing most people don’t know about you. Before Pilates, I worked in Television on several shows. Now I get to help people, it’s much more fun.
When and where do you teach?
Tuesdays (Montrose): 9:30am, 10:30am
Alternating Saturdays (Montrose): 7:00am, 8:00am, 8:35am
I’ll be in Pasadena and Studio City beginning in September.
From the Desk To The Floor Doing Double Duty – Dana
From behind the desk to the studio floor, WundaBar Educator Dana Moore (rhyme unintended)
Name and age: Dana Moore, 25
How long have you been instructor at WundaBar Pilates? Since January 2013
Why WundaBar Pilates? What was the the reason you chose to become an instructor? I began my career at WundaBar behind the desk in client services in April 2012. It did not take long for me to make my way out onto the studio floor and discover an exercise that completely transformed my physique and was easy for me to feel motivated to come back to. I grew up dancing and absolutely love a group class setting led by someone who can motivate you and the community created with other clients sweating it out alongside you! As a former dance teacher I became attracted to the idea of leading these group classes myself. I trained up and now enjoy being both a Client Services Manager as well as an Educator – it gives my work day variety and brought a greater understanding and appreciation for the full experience of WundaBar!
What is your philosophy about exercise? What other forms of exercise do you enjoy? It’s evolved over the past year. I absolutely believe you need to do something you enjoy BUT after my anatomy training and receiving my certification I see a lot of enjoyable exercises out there that really don’t support healthy body mechanics or sustainability. I have found relief from physical pain and proper body alignment alongside the strong, lean muscles and increased cardio abilities and am convinced I can do WundaBar Pilates until I’m 70 and beyond! I’m taking care of my muscles, joints, and bones now AND achieving the physique I desire without compromising my ability to lead a fun and active lifestyle in the future.
Did I mention I’m pregnant and can take our specialized class throughout my pregnancy too? I love being able to take care of my body through all the various stages of life! I also enjoy going on a great walk or hike with my husband alongside my Pilates workouts!
What is your favorite part of the WundaFormer? I love the Wunda Chair – versatile and really fun!
Which exercise is your favorite/least favorite? I have a love/hate relationship with WundaBesque – it is major core and leg work that you can shake up with different spring counts. I have to be incredibly focused but it burns so good!!
What is your favorite food? You have caught me at an interesting time – mid pregnancy – and I just can’t get enough fruit right now. Cold and juicy fruit is my number one craving. Normally, I would probably say cheese! I am from Wisconsin after all!
What is something that you’d want a newbie to WundaBar Pilates to know? I would want them to know that we are here to take care of them in the skin they are in! Come to us just as you are and know that our goal is to help you achieve your healthiest WundaBody possible. We are backed by a phenomenal training program and the best part is once you walk through that door you’re family and we are here for YOU!
Tell us one thing most people don’t know about you. I spent the summer before college as a welder in a factory (steel toed boots and all!) and I know how to drive tractors.
When and where do you teach?
Tuesdays (Montrose): 10:30am, (Studio City): 5:30pm, 6:30pm
Thursday (Pasadena): 8:30am, (Studio City) 12:30pm
Friday (Studio City) 6:00am, 7:00am
These women are a sampling of the caliber of WundaBar Pilates Educators who have served as guides and inspiration during my 60 Day Challenge. Next week will be the final Wunda Wednesday wrap-up post – but I know that it won’t be the end of WundaBar for my fitness regimen. I wonder what my 60 Day check-in will reveal.
If this is your first visit to Wunda Wednesdays (welcome!) or if you just want to learn more about my WundaBar journey, here are links for the preceding weeks: Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6 and Week 7.
BTW, if you live in Southern California and are interested in becoming a WundaBar Educator, WundaBar is holding their next Educator Certification Training in July. I may not be ready yet but who knows what the story might be in a few months….
*This post is part of my series Wunda Wednesdays which I have agreed to write in exchange for classes at WundaBar Pilates for 60 days. All opinions are my own.
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